Wonderful Teachers

Our kids were very blessed again this year to have some amazing teachers.

It was Preston's turn this year to go to Miss Jen's Joy School.  I have mentioned Miss Jen before, and in case you forgot, we just love her to pieces!  She is the absolute best!  I was very lucky to be able to be a helper in her class for half of the year, (until some complications with my pregnancy put a stop to it) and I had so much fun.  Jen is just so fun and amazing with the kids.  She had me laughing so hard sometimes I thought I was going to pee my pants.  It's no wonder all of the kids love her so much.  Not only is she super fun, but it is amazing what she is able to teach such little kids in one school year.  We're so excited that Preston gets to go to her school for one more year!  We're hoping she is still teaching preschool when Jilly starts.  ;)

Vivi had an amazing teacher this year as well.  Mrs. Winkler is everything you would want in a Kindergarten teacher.  She is incredibly sweet, and the kids just love her.  Vivi always came home from school saying, "I didn't want to come home yet!  I wanted to stay at school longer!"  Vivi learned so much this year, and we are grateful she had such a fantastic teacher.

Colson had Ms. Schaefer this year, who Trenton had when he was in fourth grade.  We were so excited for Colson to be in her class.  One of the things I love most about Ms. Schaefer is her sense of humor.  She is so much fun.  Colson had a great year this year and is all ready to start 5th grade in a couple of months.  Holy crud!  I'm going to have two kids in middle school after this next school year!  Aaahhh!

We're so thankful the kids have had another fabulous year at school, and are ready for a nice break this summer before it all starts again.  ;)

Trenton

May was a busy month for us.  It typically is, especially as we have had more kids start school.  We also have lots of birthdays that month.  Besides Colson, we celebrated Trenton's and my bro-in-law, Sean's birthday, which happens to be on the same day.

We all went out to Mt. Fuji this year for their birthday.

The birthday boys.

Preston was fascinated with all of the amazing food flipping, blazing fires, and all that goes along with a chef cooking your food right in front of you.  I've never seen that kid sit so still for a meal! ;)

On the real day of his birthday, Trenton chose teddy bear pancakes for dinner, and his all-time favorite, cheesecake, for dessert.

He was ultra spoiled this year and got a cell phone for his birthday.  He's been begging for one FOREVER!  Seriously... since he was about 9.  We kept telling him he wasn't going to get one until he was at least 14, so when he woke up that morning to an iPhone box dangling in his doorway, he was more than thrilled!  When he woke up that morning, all I heard coming from the direction of his room were ecstatic whispers of, "What is this?! Oh, my gosh! What is this?!  Colson! What is this?!"  I love when we can surprise our kids.  It doesn't happen very often.  He has been saving every penny he's made the last several months so he could buy himself a new longboard. Trent took him the day of his birthday to the longboard shop so he could spend all of his hard earned cash on a birthday present for himself.  Spoiled I tell ya!

And of course the beloved balloon launch.

This year was a special birthday since he turned 12. Twelve is the age that the boys in our church can receive the Aaronic Priesthood.  The Sunday after his birthday, he had the Aaronic Priesthood conferred upon him, and was ordained to the office of Deacon, so now we get to see him pass the Sacrament each week at church.  And he is in Young Men's instead of Primary.  I can't believe I have a 12 year old!  I'm still supposed to only be 25!

Besides having a birthday, Trenton's science experiment was due in May.  Yes, we built a hot air balloon.  I have to say, it turned out pretty awesome.  It was a fun project for Trenton and I to work on together.  We could have done the garbage bag with the candle at the bottom, but I told him if he was going to do a hot air balloon project, we may as well make it look like an actual hot air balloon.  Plus it was fun to all go out as a family to launch it.

Next up was the band concert.  Trenton has played the Alto Sax all year in band class.  It is amazing how far the band class has come in just one year.  They have one amazing band teacher!  Trenton is a man of many instruments.  He plays the piano, the saxophone, and started taking guitar lessons about 5 months ago.  The guitar is his favorite so far.  Although he still sits down to the piano quite a bit to play.  He promised his piano teacher (which is also his guitar teacher) that he would keep up on his piano, and not let three years of lessons go down the drain.  :)

Another May down and many more to look forward to and enjoy!